"It is good that war is a terrible thing, else we would grow too fond of it." Robert E. Lee Someone forgot to tell the boys of Sigma Omicron Beta. When Lee's namesake arrives at college, he doesn't fit the S.O.B. mold but he's a legacy. It's about joining. When the Pledge Committee declares war on Montgomery Lee, how much pain must he take to belong? Who else hazes their applicants, and why? Order Now!

LOUD VOICES SPARRED in the front room of Sigma Omicron Beta.

"We want good pledges this year--quality material: more character, less vice."

"Intolerant ********! There's more to fraternal life than high grades and study hours."

"Watch your mouth! Have you forgotten the honor code? We're the laughingstock of campus because our house is notorious for allowing any sort of cheating and rowdiness."

"That depends on how you interpret the code. It allows for a wide diversity of views on what it means and how it applies. You moralists want it only your way. Besides, the code is only a guide, not authoritative."

"Of course it's authoritative. Why bother having a code if it doesn't apply?"
"It's a historic relic; a tradition, but it's not binding."

"Make sure we weed out the ones who don't believe in our ideals."

"Like the past few years, we're going to solicit a wide range of pledges. A diversity of backgrounds and interests makes a healthier fraternity."

"You mean you're looking for party boys who will drag down our grade average, blacken our already bad reputation, and act in drunken, lewd ways: pledges like you."

"Face it, Wilson, you've lost control of the house. We're going to run it the way we want; we're going to get pledges who will fit in with how we run things. We only let you be President to look good to the Dean. You have no say in how we're going to choose pledges or how we're going to test them."

"I still have power. I can shut you down--"

"That's rich. Who's going to listen to you? The house charter gives you certain powers, but no one will obey unless we give the say-so."

"Unless who gives the say-so?"

"Me, Jack, Rip, Brendon, and Pete. Don't believe me? Then try something."

"This isn't over--not by a long shot."

"Calm down, Wilson. We don't want to scare anyone away until they agree to pledge. Then we nail them."

Harsh laughter accompanied this final statement. Wilson stormed upstairs to prepare for the night's smoker, which would begin in thirty minutes. Downstairs, the five-member pledge committee supervised the efforts of the other brothers to put everything in place.

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